Are you wondering about the connection between dementia and secondary progressive MS (SPMS)?
Cognitive challenges are common in SPMS and can include difficulties with memory, processing information, and learning new things. These symptoms can sometimes feel similar to dementia, but they're not the same thing.
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Are you wondering about the connection between dementia and secondary progressive MS (SPMS)?
Cognitive challenges are common in SPMS and can include difficulties with memory, processing information, and learning new things. These symptoms can sometimes feel similar to dementia, but they're not the same thing.
Between 50 and 66 percent of people with MS experience some form of cognitive impairment. In SPMS specifically, cognitive changes often worsen as the condition progresses. A MyMSTeam member shared, "It can be embarrassing to have trouble finding the right word sometimes."
Key differences to understand:
- MS-related cognitive issues typically involve memory problems, slowed thinking, difficulty with attention, and challenges with visual and spatial awareness
- These cognitive changes don't necessarily mean you have dementia
- The severity of cognitive symptoms in MS doesn't always match the severity of physical symptoms
About dementia risk:
Research shows that people with MS may have a higher risk of developing dementia compared to those without MS. One study found a 50 percent higher risk. However, MS itself doesn't cause Alzheimer's disease - these are two different conditions, though it's possible to have both.
If you're experiencing worsening cognitive symptoms, it's important to discuss them with your neurologist so they can evaluate what's happening and provide appropriate support.
December 16, 2025
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